8 Days – Adventure to the Semien Mountains

Day 3: Semien Mountain National Park GEECH CAMP (3,600M)

The next two days of this Ethiopia tour will be spent exploring the legendary Simien Mountains and their unique inhabitants. In Simien Mountains National Park we will be presented with some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa — great volcanic plugs formed 40 million years ago and eroded over the eons into fantastic crags, pinnacles, and flat-topped mountains, aptly described as “the chess pieces of the Gods”. Fissures in the dense basalt were carved by countless floods that poured into them, creating “bottomless” gorges and incising an incredible array of jagged rock formations reminiscent of America’s Grand Canyon and Namibia’s Fish River Canyon.

Amidst beautiful alpine meadows punctuated with Giant Lobelias and flowering “red hot pokers” (Kniphofia’s), we will find ourselves surrounded by massive troops of extremely well-habituated and photogenic Gelada Baboons. At the same time, we should be thrilled by the head-butting battles of Walia Ibex rams preparing for the forthcoming breeding season and spectacular Bearded Vultures cruising the thermals against a breathtaking backdrop of high wilderness peaks.

The Ibex is a form of mountain goat that sports a monstrous set of horns and inhabits the rugged rocky and grassy slopes of this seldom-visited region. Through habitat loss and hunting, their numbers decreased to between 200 and 250 individuals in the early 90’s. In recent years the numbers of these animals are on the up, mostly due to this area now being declared as a wildlife-protected area and a greater awareness created around their dismal future. Still, it is painfully obvious how much the cultivation within the national park has reduced the once-available habitat of the native highland fauna.

Troops of Geladas up to four hundred strong thrive here, and we will spend quality time observing and photographing these unique and fascinating primates. With long woolly capes, tasseled tails, bare red chests, and an arrogant swagger, these remaining relics of once widespread grass-eating baboons are now restricted to the highlands of Ethiopia. Geladas roost on the massive cliffs that dominate this park but spend their days hunched over the grasses that form the bulk of their diet. Despite sporting massive canines (the largest in proportion to the body size of any mammal!), Geladas are non-aggressive and, with patience, we may find ourselves amongst a troop of these gentle animals as they concentrate on their foraging. Here we may be treated to a formidable lip-flip display — the imposing grimace put on by Geladas to reveal their impressive upper jaw and canines, but will more likely be completely ignored as they go about their daily business. Geladas are extremely vocal, being able to pronounce all nouns and five of our seven vowels!

Other attractions during this tour include superb opportunities to watch soaring birds, including the aforementioned Bearded Vulture, Tawny Eagle, and the outrageous Thick-billed Raven, which often cruise by at eye level! Ethiopian Wolves may also be found parading around this beautiful landscape, although their numbers have suffered due to various diseases passed on from domestic dogs.

Meals–Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Lodge or Camping

Day 4: Geech (3,600m) – Imet Gogo (3,926m) Innatye (4070m) – Chennek (3,600m)

After breakfast, you’ll trek for 2 hours along the grass plateau past countless bizarre outsized Giant Lobelia plants. The destination is Imet Gogo, an incredible rocky promontory that grants 360-degree views over the Simien Range. At an altitude of 3,926m, you can see West back along the ridge towards Sankaber and Geech and South East across a deep gully towards tomorrow’s ridge walk to Inatye and Cheneck Camp. The views here are arguably the best in the Simien Mountains and the drop is terrifying. From Imet Gogo, you’ll detour SE towards Inatye. The path drops into a forest of Giant Hazel before following the ridge on open grassland. The climb to Inatye (4,070m) rewards stunning views. Inatye roughly translates as “mamma mia” and the terrifying vertical drop here justly warrants the name! After a picnic lunch, the path follows mostly downhill through open grassland and giant lobelia towards Chenek with a number of stunning viewpoints along the way. Chenek camp is superb for wildlife with both Gelada Baboons and Walia Ibex common here.

Meals–Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Lodge or Camping